초록 ▼

Well tools utilizing swellable materials. Actuators for well tools may incorporate swellable materials as force generating devices. A well tool includes an actuator which actuates the well tool in response to contact between a swellable material and a well fluid. A method of actuating a well tool in

Well tools utilizing swellable materials. Actuators for well tools may incorporate swellable materials as force generating devices. A well tool includes an actuator which actuates the well tool in response to contact between a swellable material and a well fluid. A method of actuating a well tool includes the steps of: installing a well tool including an actuator; contacting a swellable material of the actuator with a well fluid; and actuating the well tool in response to the contacting step. A well system includes a well tool with a flow control device and a swellable material. The well tool is operative to control flow through a passage of a tubular string in response to contact between the swellable material and well fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A well tool, comprising: an actuator which actuates the well tool in response to contact between a swellable material and a selected fluid;a passage for fluid flow in the well tool; anda closure member which is displaceable to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow through the passage, and whe

1. A well tool, comprising: an actuator which actuates the well tool in response to contact between a swellable material and a selected fluid;a passage for fluid flow in the well tool; anda closure member which is displaceable to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow through the passage, and wherein the closure member pivots in a direction opposite to a direction in which the swellable material swells when contacted with the selected fluid. 2. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the swellable material increases in volume in response to the contact between the swellable material and the selected fluid. 3. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the swellable material displaces an actuator member of the actuator in response to the contact between the swellable material and the selected fluid. 4. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the swellable material applies a biasing force to an actuator member of the actuator in response to the contact between the swellable material and the selected fluid.